On November 27, in the midst of arguments about taxes and the debt, another debate took place in Washington. This one involved two political traditions eclipsed in recent years, now stirring again to life: civil society conservatism and progressively-inclined populism.

When Columbus set sail for what turned out to be our shores in 1492, he was not altogether sure whether or when he was going to see dry land again. So what does that have to do with today's world? A lot.

There's firewood stacked under the whole idea of America -- a place where you're judged by what you can do, not by who your grandparents were. And the worst part is, this has nothing to do with left/right politics.

The Senate may create a commission to impose fiscal austerity on the Federal government -- but before the government decides how to pay for the future, it first needs to determine what kind of future the country needs.